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Australia’s lost megabeasts discovered on Perth Mint coins

October 24, 2013 – Unveiled in Melbourne by renowned paleo-illustrator and coin designer, Peter Trusler, the latest collector program reveals the unique characteristics of the country’s lost giants, who roamed Australia during the Pleistocene period.

Anticipating strong collector interest in this field, The Perth Mint commissioned Mr Trusler to create this unique series. “It’s been a pleasure working with such an acclaimed artist to bring these amazing animals to life on Australian legal tender,” said Perth Mint Sales and Marketing Director, Ron Currie.

Peter Trusler with the Australian Megafauna Procoptodon coin.

Commenting on the research and design process Mr Trusler said, “At the outset of each megafaunal creation, I spend a great deal of time studying literature, visiting museums, and talking to scientific experts to create an understanding of how the animal lived and behaved.”“Combining this information with physical fossil evidence, I am able to form a good appreciation of the creature’s three-dimensional shape, which is what can be seen on The Perth Mint’s Australian Megafauna coin series,” he added.

Showcasing Mr Trusler’s highly skilled depictions of Australia’s megabeasts, the reverse of the first release portrays a Procoptodon against a coloured background. The inscription PROCOPTODON and The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark also appear in the design.The Procoptodon coin is available with the future issues featuring Diprotodon, Genyornis, Thylacoleo and Megalania, scheduled for release throughout the next 12 months.Becoming extinct less than 60,000 years ago, each animal portrayed in the series displays a remarkable resemblance to the nation’s iconic fauna as they are known today.

Each of the Australian legal tender coins are struck from 1oz of 99.9% pure silver and can be purchased individually or secured with a series subscription.